There are some moments in conservation that remind us exactly why we do what we do.
Today, we’re incredibly proud to share the name of the newest member of Kiwi Park’s whānau, our brown kiwi chick, Tuku Iho.
Born on 26 March 2026, Tuku Iho is one of just two successful brown kiwi chicks hatched in New Zealand’s captive breeding programme in the past year, making him a very special little bird, and an important part of the future of kiwi conservation.
On Monday 20 July, Tuku Iho was officially welcomed with a traditional Māori naming and blessing ceremony led by local iwi at Kiwi Park.
His name, Tuku Iho, translates to “handed down through generations.”
It couldn’t be more fitting.
As Kiwi Park celebrates 40 years of conservation in 2026, Tuku Iho represents the legacy that has been built over four decades by generations of passionate people dedicated to protecting New Zealand’s precious wildlife.
His name was chosen by the Kiwi Park whānau with our founders, Dick and Noeleen Wilson, in mind. More than 40 years ago, they had a vision of creating a place where kiwi would always be at the heart of conservation, education and inspiring future generations to care for our native wildlife.
Today, that vision lives on through every visitor, every conservation programme, every team member, and now, through Tuku Iho.
(Although around the wildlife team, you’ll often hear him called simply Tuku… or affectionately, “Little Man.”)
A remarkable start to life
Tuku’s journey began long before he hatched.
His parents, Anzac and Atawhai, successfully produced the egg, with Anzac taking on the remarkable role of incubating it for the full 78 days, something male kiwi are famous for.
Since hatching, Tuku has continued to thrive under the care of our dedicated wildlife team. As he grows, he’ll remain here at Kiwi Park before eventually contributing to New Zealand’s wider kiwi conservation programme.
A special day for everyone involved
The naming ceremony was an intimate occasion shared with local iwi and the Kiwi Park whānau, recognising not only Tuku Iho’s conservation importance, but also the cultural significance of kiwi as one of Aotearoa’s treasured taonga species.
Come and meet Tuku
If you visit Kiwi Park over the coming months, you’ll be supporting conservation efforts just like the one that brought Tuku Iho into the world and will get to see him in one of our nocturnal habitat’s, Kiwi House 3.
We’re honoured to play a small part in Tuku Iho’s journey and can’t wait for our visitors to follow his story as he grows.
Nau mai, Tuku Iho. Welcome to the Kiwi Park whānau.
